Method For Production Of A Bag In A Flexible Material Comprising A Shaped Sealing Zone

ABSTRACT

A method of manufacturing at least one sample pouch from a film of flexible, heat-sealable material begins with providing a film of flexible, heat-sealing material with two opposing edges. Next, arrange the opposing edges on top of one another so as to form a body with a generally tubular wall. Next, heat-seal the opposing edges to form a longitudinal sealing area between the two ends of the body. Then, transversally heat-seal the wall of the body to form at least one transversal sealing area with a general rigidity. Then, fill the pouch with product and cut a shape in at least one transversal sealing area. The cut-out is made at a distance from the inner edge of the transversal sealing area. The cut-out has at least one part that is generally tiled in relation to the longitudinal and transversal directions of the pouch in order to guarantee the seal of the body while shaping the transversal sealing area in a given way.

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing at least one product sample pouch from a film of flexible, heat-sealable material, a sample pouch and a longitudinal succession of sample pouches obtained by implementing such a method.

The invention relates, in particular, to the distribution of a product sample with flowing capacity such as a liquid product or a solid in the form of grains or powder, in particular in the fields of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, detergents or similar.

Document U.S. Pat. No. 3,924,383 describes a pouch made out of a plastic film and comprising a tubular body equipped with a longitudinal seal, and transversal seals for the top and bottom ends of the body respectively.

And yet, such a sachet offers few opportunities for the manufacturer to differentiate its pouches from those of its rivals so that it is difficult for the user easily and quickly to identify the product contained in the pouch.

Indeed, the only identification part, or part on which the product manufacturer can communicate, for example by printing its logo or the name of its brand, is the surface of the tubular body which does not have a longitudinal seal. And yet, the flexibility of this part makes it difficult to print a product identifier. Furthermore, due to this flexibility, the pouch must be handled by the user in order to be able to identify the product clearly.

Moreover, constraints associated with the capacity of the body limit the possibilities of shaping the identification part in a particular way.

The invention aims to solve these problems by providing a pouch equipped with a transversal sealing area with sufficient resistance for forming an identification part which can be shaped and which enables clear and quick identification of the product contained in the sample pouch.

To this effect, and according to a first aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing at least one sample pouch from a film of flexible, heat-sealing material, said film comprising two opposing edges, the method involving the following steps:

-   -   providing a film of flexible, heat-sealing material;     -   arranging the opposing edge's on top of one another so as to         form a body comprising a generally tubular wall;     -   heat-sealing the opposing edges to form a longitudinal sealing         area between the two ends of the body;     -   transversally heat-sealing the wall of the body to form at least         one transversal sealing area with a general rigidity;     -   filling the pouch with product;     -   cutting a shape in at least one transversal sealing area, said         cut-out being made at a distance from the inner edge of the         transversal sealing area and comprising at least one part that         is generally tilted in relation to the longitudinal and         transversal directions of the pouch, in order to guarantee the         seal of the body while shaping the transversal sealing area in a         given way.

The method enables the manufacturer to personalise the pouch with a shaped design, such as a logo or brand, which identifies the contents allowing the user to recognise the product. Moreover, in certain applications, cutting the shape after heat-sealing does away with the sharp edges in the sealing area, sharp edges being potential catching or scratching risks.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the method comprises a step consisting of forming pouch hanging means in the shaped cut-out in the transversal sealing area.

The cut-out in the generally rigid sealing area therefore combines quick and simple identification of the product contained in the pouch and hanging the pouch without risking deformation or tearing.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a product sample pouch obtained by implementing the method according to the first aspect, said pouch comprising a generally tubular body, a longitudinal sealing area between the two ends of the body and at least one transversal sealing area which is generally rigid on one end of the body, said transversal sealing area comprising a shaped cut-out at a distance from the inner edge of the transversal sealing area, said shaped cut-out comprising at least one part which is generally tilted in relation to the longitudinal and transversal directions of the pouch.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a longitudinal succession of sample pouches obtained by implementing the method according to the first aspect, said longitudinal succession comprising at least two pouches, each transversal sealing area of a pouch being connected to the opposite transversal sealing area of the next pouch.

Further objectives and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description made in reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b show flat views respectively of the front and the back of a sample pouch according to a first embodiment of the invention, said pouch comprising a generally tubular body, a longitudinal sealing area between the two ends of the body and a transversal sealing area at each end of the body, one of the transversal sealing areas comprising a shaped cut-out;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the sample pouch in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, a part of the transversal sealing area and of the body of the pouch being separated to allow the product through;

FIG. 3 shows a flat view of a flexible, heat-sealable film enabling the production of the sample pouch in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b by implementing the manufacturing method according to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a distribution mode for the sample pouches in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, said pouches being grouped together in a case;

FIG. 5 shows a flat view of the front of a sample pouch according to a second embodiment of the invention, the two sealing areas comprising a shaped cut-out, the pouch comprising a line of least resistance forming means for opening the pouch and a channel forming means for guiding the product output;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the pouch in FIG. 5, a part of the transversal sealing area being separated along the line of least resistance in order to free the product output guiding channel;

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b show flat views respectively of the front and back of a sample pouch according to a variation of the second embodiment of the invention, means for hanging the pouch being made in the cut-out of a transversal sealing area;

FIG. 8 shows a view similar to that of FIG. 6 of the sample pouch in FIGS. 7 a and 7 b;

FIG. 9 shows a flat view of a flexible, heat-sealable film enabling the production of the sample pouch in FIGS. 7 a and 7 b by implementing the manufacturing method according to the invention;

FIG. 10 a, 10 b and 10 c show flat views of longitudinal successions of sample pouches according to FIGS. 5 and 7;

FIG. 11 shows a flat view of groups of sample pouch obtained by separating two consecutive pouches along a line of least resistance made between the transversal sealing area of one pouch and the opposite transversal sealing area of the next pouch;

FIGS. 12 a, 12 b and 12 c show perspective views of distribution modes for groups of sample pouches or sample pouches in FIGS. 5 and 7.

The figures show a pouch 1 designed for distributing product samples. The pouch 1 has applications in particular in the fields of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, detergents or similar. In these specific examples, the pouch 1 can contain a product with flowing capacity such as a liquid product, in particular such as cream, gel or milk, or a solid product in the form of grains or powder.

The pouch is made from a material that can be easily shaped and which has properties adapted to its container function, which is to say that the pouch 1 forms a barrier between the product and the outside, without reacting with said product. In particular, the pouch 1 is made from a flexible, heat-sealable material, for example a plastic material, and comprises a body 2 comprising a generally tubular wall with an axis A delimiting a hollow volume designed to receive the product to be distributed.

In the rest of the description, the terms “longitudinal” and “transversal” respectively refer to the longitudinal direction L, parallel to the A axis, and the transversal direction T, perpendicular to the A axis. Furthermore, the terms “inner” and “outer” are defined in relation to locations that are respectively close to and far from the body 2.

The pouch 1 comprises a longitudinal sealing area 3 between the two ends of the body 2 and a transversal sealing area 4 at each end of the body 2. To form the sealing areas, two opposite parts of the body 2 wall are rigidly attached to each other by heat-sealing. In the figures, 4 a and 4 b designate the opposing transversal sealing areas of the same pouch 1.

Each transversal sealing area 4 comprises at least one part which extends over the entire transversal dimension of the pouch 1 so as to obtain a closed volume. In the figures, the transversal sealing areas 4 are made in the same plane so that the pouch 1 has a generally rectangular, flat body 2. However, it is possible for the transversal sealing areas to be made in different planes in order to obtain a shaped pouch 1. Moreover, in embodiments of the invention which are not shown, the pouch 1 can have a single transversal sealing area 4 extending across the entire transversal dimension of the pouch 1 on one end of the body 2, the other end being partially sealed or closed by other closing means.

The association of two opposing ends of the wall of the body 2 to form the transversal sealing areas 4 grants said transversal sealing areas 4 a general rigidity. Due to this general rigidity, the transversal sealing areas 4 can form a medium for product communication and identification.

It is provided for at least one transversal sealing area 4 to comprise a shaped cut-out 5 for clear and quick identification of the product. Each shaped cut-out 5 is made on all or part of the transversal dimension of the transversal sealing area 4 and comprises at least one part which is generally tilted in relation to the longitudinal L and transversal T directions of the pouch 1. On the other hand, in order to guarantee the sealing of the body while shaping the transversal sealing area 4 in a given way, the shaped cut-out 5 is made at a distance from the inner edge 6 of the transversal sealing area 4.

According to a first embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the pouch comprises a shaped cut-out 5 in a transversal sealing area 4. This shaped cut-out 5 is made in a given shape which depicts, for example, the logo or the brand of the product or its manufacturer. This shaped cut-out 5 comprises rounded or broken lines delimiting a shape which clearly identifies the product contained in the pouch 1.

For improved product identification, the material used for forming the pouch 1 can be transparent or translucent and printable so that the shaped cut-out 5 of the transversal sealing area 4 can be printed on.

To access the contents of the pouch 1, a part 9 of the transversal sealing area 4 can be separated from the body, for example by cutting it, in order to obtain an opening 10 through which the product can flow. The pouch can also comprise opening means in the form of a notch, for example.

According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pouch comprises a shaped cut-out 5 on each of the transversal sealing areas 4 made at the ends of the body 2. The shaped cut-outs 5 consist of two curves formed between the longitudinal edges 7 and the outer transversal edge 8 of the transversal sealing areas 4. As well as identifying the product, such shaped cut-outs 5 get rid of sharp edges in the transversal sealing areas 4 which, due to the general rigidity of said areas, constitute catching or scratching risks.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the pouch 1 comprises a channel 11 forming means for guiding the product output. This channel 11 is made in an inner part of one of the transversal sealing areas 4 near a longitudinal edge 7. In order to free the channel 11 and allow the product to flow through this channel 11, the pouch 1 also comprises opening means in the form of a line of least resistance 12 formed on the inner part of the transversal sealing area 4 between the channel 11 and the opposite longitudinal edge 7. According to other embodiments of the invention, the line of least resistance 12 can be formed on all or part of the body 2 of the pouch 1. The pouch 1 is shown in its open state in FIG. 6, the outer part 13 of the transversal sealing area 4 being separated from the rest of the pouch 1 along the line of least resistance 12 in order to free the opening 14 of the channel 11 through which the product can flow.

In one specific example, sample pouches 1 made according to the first or second embodiment of the invention are distributed in a case 19. In FIG. 4, the sample pouches 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention are grouped together in a case 19 comprising a generally parallelepipedal body 20 and opening/closing panels 21.

A variation of the second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8 to 9. According to this variation, the pouch 1 comprises hanging means such as a hole 15 and/or an eyelet in the shaped cut-out 5 of a transversal sealing area 4. The general rigidity of the shaped cut-out 5 is thus used to hang the pouch 1 without the risk of deformation or tearing. Moreover, such an arrangement of hanging means ensures greater visibility of the shaped cut-out 5 and, therefore, easier identification of the product. Indeed, as shown in FIGS. 12 b and 12 c, when the pouch 1 is arranged on a display stand, a rod 16 of the display stand being inserted in the hanging hole 15, a user facing the display stand sees the pouch 1 in the given position and directly sees the shaped cut-out 5 which identifies the product.

FIGS. 10 a, 10 b and 10 c show longitudinal successions comprising at least two sample pouches 1. The longitudinal succession in FIG. 10 a comprises pouches 1 made according to the variation of the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Each transversal sealing area 4 a of a pouch 1 a is connected to the opposite transversal sealing area 4 b of the next pouch 1 b. The longitudinal successions can, however, only comprise pouches 1 made according to the first or second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 (FIG. 10 b) or a combination of pouches 1 according to the second embodiment of the invention and its variation (FIG. 10 c).

In FIGS. 10 to 12, the longitudinal successions comprise means for separating the sample pouches 1 or groups of sample pouches 1. Lines of least resistance 17 are made in each sealing area 18 comprising the transversal sealing area 4 a of one pouch 1 a and the opposite transversal sealing area 4 b of the next pouch 1 b. Lines of least resistance 17 are then formed between the transversal sealing area 4 a of one pouch 1 a and the opposite transversal sealing area 4 b of the next pouch 1 b in order to be able to separate the pouches 1 or groups of pouches 1 (FIG. 11).

In the case of a group of sample pouches 1 as shown in FIG. 12 a, it is provided for at least one pouch 1 located at one end to have, in the shaped cut-out 5 of the free transversal sealing area 4, a hanging hole 15 in which the rod 16 of a display stand can be inserted.

A method of manufacturing a product sample pouch 1 from a film 22 of flexible, heat sealable material will now be described.

In FIGS. 3 and 9, the films 22 are intended to form sample pouches 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention and the second embodiment of the invention described above, respectively. The films 22, with a generally polygonal shape, for example rectangular, comprise two opposing edges 23 a, 23 b. The films 22 comprise a central part 24 and two adjacent side parts 25 located on either side of the central part 24 in the transversal direction T.

For reasons of clarity and although the films 22 in the initial state do not have them, FIGS. 3 and 9 show the lines delimiting the transversal sealing areas 4, the shaped cut-outs 5 and the hanging holes 15.

The opposing edges 23 a, 23 b are arranged on top of one another so as to form the generally tubular body 2. For this purpose, the side parts 25 are folded onto the same side of the central part 24 partially covering each other. It is possible in this step to fold along the longitudinal folding lines 26 so as to form a generally flat body 2. The opposing edges 23 a, 23 b are then heat-sealed so as to form the longitudinal sealing area 3 between the two ends of the body 2.

Transversal heat-sealing of the body 2 wall is then performed so as to form at least one transversal sealing area 4. Transversal heat-sealing of the ends of the body 2 can be performed in the same plane, as shown in the figures, the body then taking on a generally flat shape. It can, however, be performed in different planes so as to give the pouch a twisted shape.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the transversal sealing area 4a is formed, and the body 2 of the pouch is then filled with product. After filling the body 2, the wall of the body 2 is transversally heat-sealed so as to form an opposite transversal sealing area 4 b. The distance between the opposing transversal sealing areas 4 a, 4 b substantially matches the longitudinal dimension of the pouch 1.

The method also includes creating the product output guiding channel 11. For this purpose, a transversal sealing area 4 is made during the transversal heat-sealing stage, comprising an inner part with a transversal dimension that is smaller than the transversal dimension of the body 2 and an outer part with a transversal dimension that is equal to the transversal dimension of the body 2. The non-heat-sealed portion of the lower part forms the channel 11 which is capable of guiding the fluid output.

On the other hand, to facilitate the opening of the pouch 1, the method provides a step involving the creation of pouch 1 opening means. In this step, the line of least resistance 12 and/or a notch are made in the body 2 or a transversal sealing area 4.

The method allows the creation of a single pouch 1. The body 2 formed during longitudinal sealing has an opening at each end. During the transversal heat-sealing step, the edges of the openings are heat-sealed to form an end transversal sealing area 4 on each end of the body 2.

The method can, however, create a longitudinal succession of pouches 1. In the same way, the body 2 formed during longitudinal sealing has an opening at each end. During the transversal heat-sealing step, an end transversal sealing area 4 is formed at each end of the body 2 and, on the other hand, intermediate transversal sealing areas 2 are formed between the end sealing areas 4.

In the event of producing a longitudinal succession of pouches 1, during the transversal heat-sealing area step, the method provides, in particular, for the formation of at least one sealing area 18 between the end transversal sealing areas 4 comprising the transversal sealing area 4 a of one pouch 1 a and the opposite transversal sealing area 4 b of the next pouch 1 b. A step is also provided for forming means for separating the pouches 1 or groups of pouches 1. For example, the line of least resistance 17 is made in the sealing area 18 between the transversal sealing area 4 a of one pouch 1 a and the opposite transversal sealing area 4 b of the next pouch 1 b.

According to the invention, the method comprises a step of making a shaped cut-out 5 of at least one transversal sealing area 4. This step can be carried equally during or after the transversal heat-sealing step.

The method comprises a step of making pouch 1 hanging holes 15 in the shaped cut-out 5 of the transversal sealing area 4. This step of making hanging holes 15 can be carried during or after the step of making the shaped cut-out 5. 

1. A method of manufacturing at least one sample pouch from a film of flexible, heat-sealable material, the method comprising following steps: providing a film of flexible, heat-sealing material with two opposing edges; arranging the opposing edges on top of one another so as to form a body comprising a generally tubular wall; heat-sealing the opposing edges to form a longitudinal sealing area between the two ends of the body; transversally heat-sealing the wall of the body to form at least one transversal sealing area with a general rigidity; filling the pouch with product; and cutting a shape in at least one transversal sealing area, said cut-out being made at a distance from the inner edge of the transversal sealing area and comprising at least one part that is generally tilted in relation to the longitudinal and transversal directions of the pouch, in order to guarantee the seal of the body while shaping the transversal sealing area in a predetermined way.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of making pouch hanging means in the shaped cut-out of the transversal sealing area.
 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of making means for guiding the product output.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of making means for guiding the product output further comprises during the transversal heat-sealing stage, forming a transversal sealing area comprising an inner part with a transversal dimension that is smaller than the transversal dimension of the body and an outer part with a transversal dimension that is equal to the transversal dimension of the body so as to form means for guiding the product outlet.
 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of making means for opening the pouch.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of making means for opening the pouch further comprises making a line of least resistance on all or part of the pouch and/or a notch forming means for opening the pouch.
 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of making a single pouch, the body having an opening at each end, the edges of the openings being heat-sealed during the transversal heat-sealing step to form a transversal sealing area at each end of the body.
 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of making a longitudinal succession of pouches, the body having an opening at each end, the edges of the openings being heat-sealed during the transversal heat-sealing step to form a transversal sealing area at each end of the body, intermediate transversal sealing areas being made between the end transversal sealing areas during the transversal heat-sealing step.
 9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of during the transversal heat-sealing area step, forming at least one sealing area between the end transversal sealing areas comprising the transversal sealing area of one pouch and the opposite transversal sealing area of the next pouch.
 10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of making means for separating the pouches or groups of pouches in a sealing area.
 11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of making a line of least resistance between the transversal sealing area of one pouch and the opposite transversal sealing area of the next pouch.
 12. A pouch comprising a generally tubular body, a longitudinal sealing area between the two ends of the body and at least one transversal sealing area which is generally rigid on one end of the body, said transversal sealing area comprising a shaped cut-out at a distance from the inner edge of the transversal sealing area, said shaped cut-out comprising at least one part which is generally tilted in relation to the longitudinal and transversal directions of the pouch.
 13. The ouch according to claim 12, further comprising a pouch hanging means in the shaped cut-out of the transversal sealing area.
 14. The pouch according to claim 12, further comprising a means for guiding the product output.
 15. The pouch according to claim 12, further comprising a means for opening the pouch.
 16. A longitudinal succession of pouches comprising at least two pouches, each transversal sealing area of one sachet being connected to the opposite transversal sealing area of the next pouch. 